p. 93 | OUR MONTHLY MEETING by P. C. RODMAN

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 28, 1868

OUR MONTHLY MEETING

By P. C. RODMAN

For July closed last evening; it was both interesting and profitable; commencing sixth-day evening with a good representation from all the churches in Rhode Island except the one on New Shoreham.

Sabbath morning we spoke to the congregation on the subject of Overcoming, then repaired to the river and baptized three; one about 70 years of age; the other two were the son of this aged sister and his wife. Sr. Bliven, of North Stonington, Conn., has stood almost entirely alone in this vicinity for over ten years, not having even her family to sympathize with her in the truth. But the Lord has blessed her, sustaining and comforting her, and now her cup of blessing is being filled, rejoicing her heart, as she exclaimed when she arose from the water, Bless the Lord that I have lived to see this day!

At 6½ P. M., we met again in social meeting. The Lord met with us. At 8 o'clock we spoke to the people again on Rev. xiii.

First-day, met at 9 A. M. Had a good social meeting. At half-past ten spoke again on Zeph. ii, 3. At the close of this meeting, it was unanimously voted that Bro. and sister White be invited to visit us when they come east this fall, and hold a meeting of two days with us in Rhode Island, either in Kingston or some other locality.

This Monthly Meeting was good, and well attended for the season, it being right in the midst of haying; but nothing will be lost even pecuniarily by our brethren in attending these monthly gatherings in the fear of God, for he can bless us. But if we neglect the work of God, not acting our part in it, however diligent we may be in business, the Lord may blow upon it. Please read Haggai i, 3–9, and ii, 15–17. But suppose we obtain property here, and do not serve God faithfully: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” Prov. xii, 4.

The day of wrath is right upon us. O brother, sister, and all who will, escape for your lives, and look not behind you. Remember Lot's wife, who started with others to escape destruction, but was as really lost as if she had stayed in the city, because her affections were there. Even so a profession of the truth will not save us; we must have the love of the truth, so that all else will be secondary to its prosperity and our growth in it. Let the inquiry be, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and commence at once, in earnest, to do that neglected duty at home, in the meeting, Sabbath School, or wherever it may be.

P. C. RODMAN.

Ashaway, R. I., July 20.